Community Partnerships

NASA has been a partner with HCMS since the 2012/2013 school year when we became a NCTAF (National Commission on Teaching and America's Future) school. Our students are able to work with NASA scientists and other environmental experts in the metropolitan area. Our rain gauge was made possible from a NASA Grant in conjunction with the GPM (Global Precipitation Mission).

Diane Sweeney, HCPSS Energy Management Specialist, partnered with students completing an on going energy audit and helped students understand the energy needs of the school and focus on areas where energy conservation can be improved. The energy audit consists of students counting light fixtures to understand the cost of emergency lighting, lights on all the time, and classroom lighting. She shared with the students ideas on how to reduce our energy usage by removing light bulbs and unplugging appliances to reduce "vampire energy". This information will be used throughout the year to work on energy reduction. Our energy bills will then be made available to students to see how successful our efforts have been.(March 18, 2014)

NASA- GPM (Global Precipitation Mission) Students at Harper's Choice are partnering with the GPM to provide crucial data for their Global Precipitation Mission. The satellite which was launched from Japan on February 27, 2014 will be collecting data on Earth's precipitation from above the clouds. All students at HCMS, along with over 1,300 other locations worldwide, will have the opportunity to collect precipitation data from below the clouds with our rain gauge.

Howard County Master Gardeners are partnering with the Harper's Harvesters to help them navigate gardening from initial design phase to planting. Kent Phillips, Grow-it, Eat-it Chair, will meet with students in April, 2014.

Alicia Moore, Howard County Recycling Coordinator, met with the HCMS Green Team on October 23, 2013, and shared ways schools can improve recycling efforts that benefit the environment. Her expertise helped them plan goals and activities for the school year.

Robinson Nature Center - Sixth and seventh grade classes have had opportunities to participate in field trips that included admission to the nature center, a naturalist-led program with a hands-on classroom component and a nature walk on the trails. Trips also included time for students to explore the nature center’s Discovery Room and exhibits. In addition to field trips, Robinson Nature Center is less than two miles from our school and is a rich resource for the members of the Harper's Choice community. (May 2013)

"A green school means that the school is doing its absolute best to reduce the amount of energy used. If the school uses less energy then it will save money and resources. That money and energy resources can be used for other things to enhance the student experience at HCMS."